The Old Chapel Textile Centre in Newbury, home of the National Needlework Archive,
offer courses, workshops and exhibitions in sewing, haberdashery, needlecraft, textiles,
embroidery, cross stitch, quilting and textile art. Our shop carries an extensive
range of all needlework and sewing products including fabric, threads, wool, zips
and patterns. We have an archive of historic textiles and patterns and are home to
The Country Wife mural.

National Needlework Archive

The NNA Library

We shall soon be opening our new lending library for public borrowing of books on
all sorts of textiles. Initially for personal visit use only.

The NNA has an extensive reference library which is open to the public. Annual and
day membership is available (photo ID and proof of address required, and small fee
payable). The library opens subject to staff being available and we recommend phoning
first to ensure access if you are coming especially to use the library.

The library contains books, magazines, instruction leaflets and patterns covering
many aspects of textiles.. We are always delighted to have donations of these items,
and related social and women’s history, to enhance the research value of our collection.

The NNA has recently been given the textile book collection of the late Mrs Margaret
Searle of Somerset and we thank her sons, Robert and Andrew for making this acquisition
possible. Margaret was a librarian and an avid book collector on many subjects. The
NNA is extremely grateful to have been given Margaret’s embroidery and textile books
so that others may enjoy the fruits of her wonderful hobby.